Olave,
formerly a defensive mainstay in the RSL back line, toughened up the Red Bulls as they captured their first Supporters’ Shield and shaved five goals off their goals-conceded total in 2012. His
four goals featured two nifty finishes with his feet and he finished fourth in Defender of the Year voting. Unfortunately, his season ended with a red card issued for a late tackle on Omar Cummings in the playoffs.

A few shaky games while recovering from national-team burdens plagued Gonzalez, who otherwise sharpened his use of the
ball and decisiveness in critical situations compared to previous years. Though he signed a lucrative new MLS contract in August, there will be bidders for his services next summer. Collin takes too
many cautions (13) and commits too many careless fouls (54 total) but wins a lot of balls on the ground and in the air. He scored three goals in the regular season, three more in the playoffs
(including one in the final), and drilled home the decisive penalty kick as SKC captured its second MLS Cup.

RSL handed Borchers a big task after it traded away three starters, including
Olave, following the 2012 season. Borchers took on more leadership and held down the fort as a new fleet of players carried the team’s colors. Injuries and age eventually caught up with the
37-year-old Alessandro Nesta, who announced his retirement after the Impact dropped from first place and barely made the playoffs. When on his game, an uncanny
sense of positioning and mastery of the ball provided glimpses of how the world’s elite play centerback.

Victor Bernardez, an unstoppable
force on his best days, rebounded after a rocky start to the season to drive the Quakes’ resurgence. Hurtado’s man-marking prowess continued but he often committed fouls (28) trying to
cover up mistakes. Bobby Boswell contributed another solid season for another Dynamo run to the playoffs and should be a key component in the rebuild of D.C.
United, which claimed him in the Re-Entry Draft.

Marshall, the MLS Defender of the Year in 2008, showed more of that form than in past seasons as he re-established his game following
post-concussion issues. The four games he missed were due to a strained hamstring and at 29, should have a few good years left for his new team in Seattle. In a perfect world, Amobi Okugo would be a defensive mid, yet he’s composed and strong and dependable in the back, and absolutely vital to the Union’s future

I am curious if the Jorge Bernardez mentioned in this article is related to Victor Bernardez, the dude who actually plays right center back for the Quakes. Anybody ever edit this stuff before sending it out for public consumption?